‘Healthy competition in pace attack helps perform’

Bracing up for the “biggest opportunity” to win a maiden Test series Down Under, India’s Ishant Sharma on Tuesday also cautioned that Australia are good enough to cause problems, regardless of the turmoil in their cricket.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins in Adelaide on December 6, with the Indian team bedding in for preparations at the Sydney Cricket Ground and taking on Cricket Australia XI in a four-day tour game from Wednesday.

“We don’t really think about all these things. It depends on a given day. In cricket whoever is playing for the country is good enough. Till the time we get the results, we don’t take anything lightly. We are pretty motivated. The aim right now is to win the series and that is what everyone is focussing on. We don’t even think of personal performances; just one aim, to win a series in Australia,” said Sharma.

India were beaten 2-0 when they were here the last time, though current captain Virat Kohli made his presence felt with plenty of runs.

“The tour game is serious because it will set the tone for us. You get to know the conditions because you are playing here after a long time. ” he added.

The onus will be on the Indian pace attack to deliver the goods once again after their terrific performances in South Africa and England earlier in the year. Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri have praised them time and again as the ‘best pace attack’ in Indian Test history.

“Pressure is there but I think it is a great opportunity as well. We have a healthy competition in the pace attack. If you are not doing well, you can be left sitting out and watching the game.” he said.

The last time India and Australia engaged in a Test series back in India (2016-17), Sharma had a couple famous run-ins with thenskipper Steve Smith, who will be missing the series owing to a year-long ban after the ball tampering saga. “I have played 11 years now so I don’t need to think about what I need to do well. I’m not that kind of person who thinks about what happened in the past. I’m looking forward and I’m going to do well on this tour as well,” Sharma added.

We have a healthy competition in the pace attack. If you are not doing well, you can be left to watch the game. ISHANT SHARMA, India bowler